Cell phones and the hearing impaired
The in basket: As the July 1 deadline for enforcing the hands-free cell phone law approached last summer, Jerry Darnall of Kingston wondered about how his particular situation would be addressed.
He is hearing-impaired, but doesn’t always wear his hearing aid while driving because it gets uncomfortable after a while and, more to the point, his “specially adjusted high-volume hand-held cell phone” produces painful feedback when he has his hearing aid in. He must remove it to use that phone.
But, he said, the wording of the law appears to exempt only those wearing hearing aids, “although I thought the intent by the Legislature was to exempt all ‘hearing impaired’ persons, not just those wearing hearing aids at that time.
“How much leeway is the WSP allowing for hearing-impaired cell phone users under the new law?” he asked. “What will I need to provide the officer as proof of disability if stopped for this infraction? Is the WSP/DOL going to provide some kind of sticker for the rear of my vehicles or license plate that shows hearing impairment?”
While I was seeking those answers from State Patrol spokeswoman Krista Hedstrom in Bremerton, I asked for an update on how enforcement has been going in the real world of the state highways here.
The out basket: Second things first, Krista says troopers in Kitsap County “have stopped 56 drivers for talking on their cell phones. Forty-three of them were issued infractions for $124, while the other 13 were given verbal warnings.
It’s what’s called a “secondary infraction,” which means it can only be tacked on if an officer sees a primary infraction like speeding. Krista said, “Troopers are seeing a variety of primary offenses which go along with the cell phone violation. Speed and lane travel are the two main reasons, based on feedback from troopers.
“The majority of drivers are aware of the hands-free law,” she added.
”In reference to Mr. Darnall’s questions,” she continued, “yes, the law specifically states that you are exempt while wearing a hearing device. (It) makes no reference to hearing devices that are transmitted through the cell phone.
“As far as the leeway that he is looking for…that is up to each individual trooper or officer who makes the stop. And, it does not hurt to have a doctor’s note handy explaining his circumstances.
“There is no sticker that would be available to put on your license plate advising of hearing impairment.”
I suggested the Jerry get a visor mounted cell phone unit and about the same time Leroy McVay of Poulsbo e-mailed with the same suggestion.
“Ear-mount Blue Tooth doesn’t work for me,” Leroy said. “Got a visor mounted unit at Costco for $39.95, works great!
“Internal battery, plugs in just like cell phone. They only provide a car cord. Another advantage is your wife can use it without messing with the ear piece; great if they have hearing aids. They provide an ear bud if you really need privacy.”
Tags: cell phones, hands-free, hearing impaired
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